COLE THOMPSON - GRIT 245 250SX

GRIT-245 |250 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

Though the track was treacherous to begin the day in Seattle, Canada's Cole Thompson proved that he had an exceptional prowess within the 250SX classification. Splashing his way amongst puddles and ruts that had a significant amount of precipitation within the bottom(s), his outdoor roots flourished as he sped to the finish line time and time again. Though mindful of sparing the engine for what was to come in the night show, he would exit the raceway with confidence prior to the thirty-second board going sideways for heat two. Once action was underway, he would do his best to dive amongst the funnel of turn number one - darting toward the inside where his vision could be relatively clear, despite countless opponents around him ducking their head from marred instances of roost being flung their way. Through the first two minutes (or so) he would hover around a standing of seventh (running as high as fifth, at one point) though constantly searching for a means to move forward. The whoops were hardly recognizable, with abrupt edges and peaks now being a means of the rear-end swapping if a rider were prepared to tackle them...though he made sure to grip the frame of the Yamaha with all of his might while stabbing the clutch on occasion to use a bit more RPM in a means of propulsion. The wall jump after the mogul section was a platform in which he flourished, rocketing upon cresting the anthill of sorts before dashing down the straightaway thereafter...defending the seventh-place standing from a legitimate contender, Nate Thrasher. Ultimately finalized in an opportunistic position of seventh, after a hard-fought ride amongst factory contenders, he was then focused on the main event where he gauged the speed of those at the front of the pack within the first five minutes of action. The anticipation, despite the muddy conditions, could be felt by way of applause from the crowd - and when attempting to triple his way through the longest rhythm section on the track, the intensity of the pack behind him (including Robbie Wageman and Hunter Yoder) was palpable. He wasn't rattled despite his goggle lens glistening with a shiny reflection from the moisture and mud that had amassed, disregarding the rear wheel spin as he shifted through the corner after the finish line while attempting to nullify the time gained from his opponents who trailed. As the timer continued to tick, the battle which was as once too close to call (i.e. between he and Phil Nicoletti, who he'd passed on the eleventh circuit), was now one of a sustainable gap...and carried through the demanding conditions of this Seattle SX circuit to capture tenth in the record book.

More from GRIT